Simon

The die size theory was last presented by CLBC but in the catalog they showed mistakes that I caught, It made me realize multiple sizes of many of the coins particularly in the coinage of Manuel I Comnenus. It turns out in a obscure article coauthored by D.M. Metcalf he had presented the same theory decades before. Nothing conclusive , just raised the question. Your observation @catadc on John II is interesting, what I have noted is similar die size but with huge weight differences, these two coins are the same both John II but they have a slightly different die size 15.5mm die and the heavier at 17mm die. 4.1gm and 6.0gm. The fact your coin shows two different die sizes on the same coin shows the mint had multiple dies, but was the smaller size it to conserve metal? Or to represent a different denomination? Or maybe they lacked the technology to produce a more precise weight on the denomination, the answer being make the dies smaller? My two full tetartera. 4.1gm 15.5 die size And the heavy example. 6.0gm 17mm die size.

Nice write up @Valentinian, I never realized Michael III was so rare, I just checked my group lots if I could be so lucky. No such luck!

Nice tree! Congratulations on a spectacular collection.

Love it, Celtic coinage is becoming more interesting to me. So thank you for sharing your 2022 pick and I wish you a successful and Happy 2023.

Not sure exactly why but I love Valentinian II (AD 375-392), something special about that coin. Congratulations on a most excellent year.

Following @TheTrachyEnjoyer post on his Palaeologan Christmas, I was given a gift last night, a work of art that encompassed a half stravraton of Manuel II (1391-1425). I picked the coin and my wife; she picked the artist. I ended up with a beautiful gift. I work and sell art for a living, and it has made me very attracted to the late style of Byzantine Art, In the last few years I became attracted to the philosophy of Spiritualism. Byzantine coinage with its many abstract portraits are created under this philosophy, its Apex of the artform was during the Palaeologan period (1259-1453) " The essence of Spiritualism is that all physical things hinder the Cosmic connection." Another way to look at it is all beauty is from within. so all beauty is the ultimate simplicity, the Eastern Romans perfected the art, Abstraction is beauty and a channel to the soul. The original teachings of Spiritualism are not Christian, the earliest writings date to Plotinus around 250 AD. The basic philosophies of his teachings have been added to many faiths, Judaism, Christianity, Gnostic and Islam. For more on Spiritualism on coinage I recommend these works, the second from Christopher T Connell, he diagramed the ultimate portrait of Christ in a Spiritualist nature. He broke the portraits of Christ to 3 circles, 2 semicircles and 30 lines. (He assisted me when I first started collecting Byzantine coinage, I think of him fondly now.) Vol 03 No. 11 November 1989 - The Celator - VCoins Community Vol 05 No. 12 December 1991 - The Celator - VCoins Community I chose to write up a bit more on the concept of the art of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) empire and put this in the general section, to explain why those blobs of figures you see on their coinage was not due to lack of skill but a basic philosophy that was incorporated on the coinage from the early years of the empire. If you have anything to add on Byzantine or other abstract portraits please feel free. I wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season. By the way, the reverse was left open, so the other side can be appreciated as well.

Very cool , Nice example well centered, in DOC they have two types of this coin @Celator Yours is type A , mine is type B because of the additional notch on the shaft.of the cross John holds. This one is also very heavy silvered more than most. I paid dearly for this one. ( because of silvering not the notch.)

John II is one of least known Emperors because he was successful in keeping the edge over his enemies and keeping the peace amongst his allies. His sister Anna is one of the main reasons his history is a bit scarce, she loved her father and barely mentioned her brother in her historical writings, she had attempted to have him overthrown upon his succession to the thrown and it was unsuccessful, and he had her live the rest of her life in a convent. I would suspect her final revenge over her brother was to ignore him and his accomplishments during his 25 year rule. It was said if he had lived just a few years longer the empire would have been stronger and would have surpassed the empire of the 11th century but a hunting accident with a poison arrow shortened his rule. His nickname was given to him because of his pious ways, in real life he was considered unattractive. In regard to his coinage, the 25 year rule the coinage was kept simple, he followed his father's coin reform within some notable case increases the purity levels that were originally decided upon. In fact, his coinage creates a bit of a problem with coin collectors because John III thought it would be a good idea to copy the Hyperpyron coinage held in such esteem, he copied legends that John III had no right to. Such as being born in the purple basically , he was born to rule. Elaina Lianta wrote a paper that the conclusion was there is no visual way to tell the difference, only the purity of John II coins were at 20 carats and John III at 17 carats. Here is a near complete collections of his coinage, I chose not to add a few pieces because they were so difficult to determine on the web that they were attributed correctly. The missing are Thessalonica Hyperpyron issues SBCV-1949 and SBCV-1950, the trick to the Thessalonica issues are they are slightly thicker with a slightly smaller die. The two Thessalonica Hyperpyron issues I do have were purchased from reputable auction houses. (CNG and Classica Zurich) The following has every example (With the exception of the two noted above.) Every coin was pictured in scale so you can see how each denomination compared side by side. This picture will give you a better example of each type, Hyperpyon El Aspron trachy, Billion trachy and the city tetarteron, tetarteron and the smallest denomination noted as the half. The rarest of these coins are not the gold but the billion and the copper. The top coin was minted in Constantinople showing you the main difference between it and its Thessalonica counterpart, on the Constantinople issue the Emperor holds a Globus cruciger and in the Thessalonica issue he holds a Anexikakia. The rarity of the Constantinople issue is not noted in Sear but I have never seen one up for auction. Here is another variations of SBCV-1953 , I will call the 2nd coin the Zervos variation, he noted that Christ is no longer a bust but a at waist portrait. None of the catalogs note this but his article was very convincing. As for rairty he notes they are both equally obtainable. Last but not least, I have two examples of a coin only noted in DOC IV by one example noted in a private collection, I have seen maybe a half of dozen in collections and this collection brags of two examples, one beautiful the other well worn. This differs from SBCV-1953 by the attire. I hope you enjoyed this journey to the coinage of John II . please feel free to post any of his coins. I know at least on other board member has one of the two Hyperpyrons I am missing.

Nice collection. I am glad you're year went very well.

Very nice year, congratulations.

Artuqids of Mardin, Husam al-Din Yülük Arslan. AH 596 / 1199 CE. AE Dirham, 32 mm, 12.35 g. I agree with you, it is a gruesome coin but very cool to add to the collection. One of the other board members has one with the blood dripping from the severed head. Interesting display of power. Congratulations on your collection.

One more, same as the OP. Really nice grade example.

I had trouble getting this one in any sort of order Starting at # 10 going down to #1, mostly Eastern Empire coinage with one exception. Also sorry for the mixed backgrounds, I have not had a chance to rephotograph all of them. #10 Alexius III El Aspron Trachy. Alexius III; 1195-1203 AD. Constantinople, EL Aspron Trachy, 4.31g. Sear-2009. Obv: Christ enthroned facing, nimbate, raising r. hand and holding Gospels in l.; IC - XC to l. and r. of his head. Rx: Alexius and St. Constantine standing side by side, holding cruciform scepter between them. Mint State A beautiful example. #9 Parthian Empire, Orodes II Silver drachm, Sellwood 47.9; Shore 241; SNG Cop 100; BMC Parthia p. 88, 173; Sunrise 373, EF, light rose tone on luster, excellent portrait, light marks, irregular flan shape, Mithradatkart (near Askabad in Turkmenistan) mint, weight 3.647g, maximum diameter 20.3mm. #8 Seal Stamp I got help on this from Gert on the Forum Board, not a coin but something cool. Got it in a group lot from Nomo. He attributed as such bellow. That is a Greek monogram, c. 7th-8th century I'd say. The positive impression would have K on the left, NC on the right, TOV on top and AW below. It can be solved KWNCTANTINOV, Konstantinou, the genitive of the name Konstantinos, ("of Constantine"), which is expected for early Byzantine seal stamps. monogram. #7 Alexius I AE Trachy Constantinople I am trying to finish up the 12th century, this fellow does not come up for auction often, it replaces an inferior example I had in my collection. Facing bust of Alexius, wearing crown and loros, holding labarum and globus cruciger. Sear 1919. Weight 3.62 28mm #6 Alexius AE City Tetarteron Just a really beautiful example of this type. I think it might still have silvering under that patina. Alexius I Comnenus Æ Tetarteron. Constantinople, AD 1081-1118. Facing bust of Christ Pantokrator, holding open Gospels / ΑΛ[Є ΔЄC], crowned half-length bust facing, wearing loros, holding labarum and globus cruciger. DOC 33; Sear 1920. 3.73g, 20mm, 6h. #5 John V Stavation Rare and heavy coin and an example of what was then the beginning of a new denomination. Not beautiful but I really liked the Christ portrait on this coin. Byzantine Empire, John V Palaeologus, 15 June 1341 - 16 February 1391 A.D., Silverstavraton, cf. DOC V 1277 (also no sigla) & 1295 - 7 (similar rev.); Bendall LPC p. 154, 2; Lianta 900, Bendall PCPC 327, SBCV 2510 7.91gm 26.9mm #4 Manuel Thessalonica Hyperpyron The Thessalonica issue rarely comes to auction, I bought this one from a dealer and it came with a David Sear cert of authenticity and grade. Obv: Beardless bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cross (the limbs of exaggeratedly ‘radiate' form), tunic and kolobion, his right hand raised in benediction and holding scroll in left, IC-XC across central field, with the legend +KЄ ROHΘЄI Rev: Manuel standing facing, wearing crown, divitision (military tunic) and chlamys, and holding labarum and globus surmounted by plain cross, manus Dei in upper field to right, MA/NOV/HΛ/ΔEC [ΠO/TH] on left, Tω ΠO/PΦ/Γ on right 4.52gm 29mm #3 Alexius El Aspron Trachy I had tried numerous times to get one of these, I actually lucked out and won it cheaply on a heritage auction because it was not slabbed. Hard to come by. Alexius I Comnenus (AD 1081-1118). EL aspron trachy (30mm, 4.41 gm, 5h). Choice Fine, crack, graffiti, scratches. Constantinople, post-reform coinage, AD 1092-1118. MHΡ-ΘV (barred), Virgin Mary, nimbate, wearing pallium and maphorium, seated facing on backless throne, holding nimbate head of young Christ facing; single border / A/ΛE/ΞIΩ / ΔEC/ΠO/Τ-TW / KO/MN/N Alexius I standing facing, wearing crown with pendilia, divitision and sagion, five pellets on sleeve, jeweled scepter in right hand, globus cruciger in left; single border. Sear 1915. #2 Romanus IV Diogenes AV histamenon nomisma Very difficult to get this one to photograph well, too much reflection. I darked this picture so you could see it better. Romanus IV Diogenes AV histamenon nomisma, 1068-1071 AD, 4.29gm, struck in Constantinople, 28.3mm. Obv: KѠN MX ANΔ; three princes, sons of Constantine X and Eudocia, each standing on suppedion, each wearing saccos and loros: Michael standing facing, holding labarum and akakia, between Constantius left and Andronicus right, both holding globus cruciger and akakia. Rev: PѠMAN EVΔѠK; Christ with nimbus cruciger, wearing pallium and colobium, standing facing on suppedion, crowning Romanus left and Eudocia right, both dressed in saccos and loros, both holding globus cruciger; IC XC, with macron above each, flanking head of Christ. DOC 1; Sear BCV 1859. EF #1 Alexius III AR trachy. This coin should not exist, picked it up from Roma and it has an extremely high silver content. I had a nice discussion on this piece on this board. I will get it tested to see what the silver content actually is. I will post that on the board as well. Alexius III Angelus-Comnenus BI Aspron Trachy. Constantinople, AD 1195-1197. [+KЄPO] HΘЄI, Facing bust of Christ Emmanuel; [IC]-XC across upper fields / Blundered legend, Alexius and St. Constantine standing facing, each holding labarum and a globus cruciger between them. DOC 3d; Sear 2011. 4.05g, 25mm, 6h.Near Extremely Fine. I hope everyone had a good 2022 and 2023 brings about more great coins. Happy Holidays to All! Simon

Great link page with the abbreviations @Valentinian. Thank you adding that

Okay, the verdict is out if this coin is an imitation or a new type. I lean to it being an imitation, but the weight and quality do support it being a new type. It is a Manuel tetarteron, and it does have IC XC and NIKA beneath. Bellow it, is a very nice normal example.

congratulations on a great year.

Wow! Congratulations and great eye.

Neither are rare but the condition on both makes them beautiful . It is difficult to find trachea nice struck as these. The reason it took 2 strikes to make the coins. These are both Manuel I Comnenus SBCV-1968

Well from the hoard find we know it was from the time of class G or latter so Class I is not that far off. I do not see an exact match but a class H is possible as well. My choice would be Edessa Follis, it would make sense to restrike a coin during that time period that did not fit in Eastern Roman coinage.

I have never seen the Amorium type before. Very interesting creation. I would love to know more about that type. I have most of the others but I am missing SBCV-1888 but I have some really nice examples of some of the more common ones. This class D is very nice. This Class G is one of my favorites. This class F was a bit difficult to find in this condition. I would love to get one with a face. These two I found in group lots, not as nice but harder to come by. I found the article on the type. (99+) “A New Anonymous Follis from Amorium.” The Numismatic Circular 103/10 (December 1995), p. 376. | Chris S Lightfoot - Academia.edu

Most Eastern Roman Collections contain at least one of these large coppers from the 10th and 11th centuries. Why? The are impressive, easy to find and excellent coins to represent the empire. Class A, Impressive large copper near the beginning of the series.This one could use some cleaning, but the detail is excellent. Class B Sharp strike but double struck on the reverse, the dies were sharp. Class C, I have had this one a long time filled with its charms. Feel free to share your anonymous follis. The more the better.

Thank You, it was a great find and win. As for the note I wrote about a third mint it was never proposed by Michael Hendy but an article from the Cyprus Numismatic Society by D.M. Metcalf and A.G. Pitisilldes (between 84-90) A SCARCE TYPE OF COPPER TETARTERON OF EARLY 12TH CENTURY FROM CYPRUS. The article presents the fact that the tetarteron was found in extremely large numbers from the rules of Alexius, John II and Manuel. The reason surmised was to prevent revolt in an area since several uprisings had already occurred. He also mentions the weight variations being significant in the finds and perhaps a mint (Or mints) at Cyprus would help reveal the answer. In the article he mentions one type being found almost exclusively in Cyprus. Anyone who has collected these coins tend to find them from Cyprus coin dealers. I have several of these rare coins, this one is by far the most exceptional in my collection. ALEXIUS AE HALF TETARTERON S-1934 DOC 44 CLBC 2.4.10 OBV Bust of Virgin wearing tunic and maphorion REV Bust of emperor wearing stemma, divitision, and chlamys; holds in r. hand labarum on long shaft and in l. Globus crucifer. Size 16.34mm Weight 3.00gm He also mentions for Manuel it is SBCV-1979, the lighter of the two monogram issues being found in large quantities. He alludes to the fact they may have been minted there as well. I would not agree exclusively but perhaps it does answer questions about Cyprus being the third mint. We know during the reign of Isaac the Usurper of Isaac minted coinage there. Copper mines were known to be there so no reason the could not have been active in the preceding years during the reign of Alexius. I also believe SBCV-1933 was minted in Cyprus, not because of recorded site finds but because most of these coins come from Cyprus dealers. It is also a very misleading coin, in David Sears catalog it is a full tetartera in Sommers catalog he lists it as a half. The coin is confusing when it comes to what denomination it was created to be. It also has a crude element about it , ironically my smallest version is by far the nicest example made from fresh and neat dies. Here are 3 of my best examples. From top to Bottom. 4.9gm 21.40mm, 3.6gm 21.94mm, 1.3gm 21mm So perhaps the 3rd official mint was in Cyprus but without more sites find info we will not be sure.

I looked, all three are affiliated. I did not know what one would ship the coin. You are correct the UAE shipped it.

Your collection was part of my inspiration to add to mine. Thank You for posting it here.

# 9 John III trachy, even with its faults it is a beautiful coin and my favorite of your ten. Nice year congratulations.